The notion of the symbiotic work – when we reach the point of everyone is an artist.  Web memes as a rise-o-matic medium.  What are the implications of everyone as an artist?  Suggestion for further research.

On the digital divide – even Matt at Columbia College has started to poll his students on access to computers and software.  Finds that many do have access to the hardware but not the proper software.  Brings up the issue of when everyone has the access to the software on their own computer and software leading to no one working in the lab and the students losing out on the social experience of creation and collaboration.

Inter-media and symbiosis operate on a continuum.  Also happens within creative thought.  Brown suggests to Faber of a symbiosis between her art and the science.

The digital divide – we’re already assuming the kids are in college; however, there are people that don’t have the proper access to everything during K-12.  And it’s even worse in third-world countries.  Griffin responds that in many third world countries, they’re still grappling with the economic divide (the first part of the digital divide).

Taking slides of various microscopic stills and turns them into art.

• Water lily leaf with sea-like constructions
• Water surfaces
• Rust formations
• Spore cells

Using scientific work as a template/foundation for her own work.

Carol went to another lab that specializes in taxidermy-like work.  Took make pictures and scans.

Plastination – chemical process of replacing the fat with plastic

Incorporating various animal parts into artwork; overlaying different images, colors, and mediums.

This is a neat presentation, but seems sort of out of place at iDMAa.

Dr. Griffin comes from a small liberal arts school (Wesley College) that can’t place a lot of emphasis on tech since the school can’t really afford it.

In response to the affordability issue of the digital divide, computers were placed in public spaces like schools and libraries.

Second part of digital divide – basic ability to use technology isn’t there.  Again, this is economically related.  So when these kids arrive to school, they’re already behind.

The first element of the divide is considered closed.

Using software increases familiarity with computers which then leads to great levels of analytical and critical thinking.  The entire Wesley College has 10 iMacs with plenty of software.  The lab is always open IF there are no classes meeting there (however, since it’s the only Mac lab, there are a lot of classes in there).

Dr. Griffin polled her students and found that 38% thought they need to own the software to succeed.  These students were the ones that were NOT able to afford it.

Dr. Griffin tries to give her students options.  Freeware via download.com.  Dr. Griffin finds good software for her students and have come up with cheap/free alternatives to Pro Tools, Final Cut, and the Adobe Creative Suite.